Step 4: Skills Tour (30 minutes)
Try each of these skills in a real session. Spend ~5 minutes on each.
Must-Know Skills
/check-env — Environment Validation
You already used this. Run it at the start of every session.
/check-env
/test-first — TDD Workflow
Pick a small feature or function to add. Instead of implementing first:
/test-first
I need a function that validates email addresses.
It should accept standard emails and reject malformed ones.
Watch how Claude writes failing tests first, then implements to make them pass.
/code-review — Review Your Changes
After making changes (or at the end of a work session):
/code-review
Claude reviews your recent changes with severity ratings (Critical, High, Medium, Low) and specific suggestions.
/debug — Scientific Debugging
If you have a bug to fix:
/debug
Users report intermittent 500 errors on GET /api/orders.
Error log: "Cannot read properties of undefined (reading 'email')"
Watch how Claude forms hypotheses, tests them with evidence, and narrows down systematically.
/handoff — Session Summary
At the end of any session:
/handoff
Creates a structured summary. Read SESSION_NOTES.md to see the output.
Good-to-Know Skills
/explain — Understand Code
/explain src/middleware/auth.ts
Gets a layered explanation. Ask “go deeper on [part]” to drill in.
/security-check — OWASP Scan
/security-check
Quick scan of recent changes for secrets, injection, XSS, and auth issues.
/refactor — Zero-Behavior-Change Refactoring
/refactor
The handleOrder function in src/services/order-service.ts is too long.
Break it into smaller functions.
Watch how Claude runs tests before AND after each extraction.
/deploy — Safe Deployment
/deploy
Runs through a deployment checklist: build, tests, env vars, git status, and explicit confirmation.
/writing-plans — Implementation Planning
For large features:
/writing-plans
I need to add a notifications system with email, in-app,
and push notifications. Multiple channels, user preferences,
and delivery tracking.
Creates a structured plan file before any code is written.
Skill Quick Reference
| When You Need To… | Use |
|---|---|
| Start a session | /check-env |
| Write new code | /test-first |
| Fix a bug | /debug |
| Clean up code | /refactor |
| Review changes | /code-review |
| Scan for security issues | /security-check |
| Understand code | /explain |
| Plan a large feature | /writing-plans |
| Deploy | /deploy |
| End a session | /handoff |
See the full workflow decision tree for more.
Next: 05-advanced.md — Advanced features